Now it was Margot's turn to stare and frown.
"You didn't know! But you must have known. How else could it get in?
You must have given permission."
"My sweetheart, what have I to do with the Loadstar, or any other
magazine? What has my permission to do with it?"
"Everything in the world! Oh, I know exactly what has happened. Your
brother has told you about Ron, and showed you his verses, and you put
them in for his sake--and mine! Because you knew I should be pleased,
and because they are good too, and you were glad to help him. He is
longing to come in to thank you himself. We shall both thank you all
our lives!"
George Elgood's face of stupefaction was a sight to behold. His
forehead was corrugated with lines of bewilderment; he stared at her in
blankest dismay.
"What are you talking about, sweetheart? What does it all mean? Your
brother has no need to thank me for any success which he has gained. I
should have been only too delighted to help him in any way that was in
my power, but I have no influence with the Loadstar Magazine."
"No influence! How can that be when you are the Editor?"
"I am the What?"
"Editor! You have every influence. You are the magazine!"
George Elgood rose to his feet with a gesture of strongest astonishment.
"I the Editor of a magazine! My dearest little girl, what are you
dreaming about? There never was a man less suited to the position. I
know nothing whatever of magazines--of any sort of literature. I am in
corn!"
A corn merchant! Margot's brain reeled. She lay back in her chair,
staring at him with wide, stunned eyes, too utterly prostrated by
surprise to be capable of speech!